8.7 Safe water and sanitation

What is Safe Water?

water that is not contaminated with disease causing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, or chemicals such as lead and mercury

Why is Safe Water important?

consumption, food prep & cooking, washing & hygiene, agriculture & production

How does Safe Water affect Health Status?

many diseases are water borne and transmit easily from water to the individual. increases incidence of diarrhoea and therefore dehydration and undernutrition

How does Safe Water affect Human Development? (education)

time spent collecting water reduces level of education and the ability of children to access meaningful employment and develop to their full potential. this may mean they cannot earn an income to achieve a decent standard of living and live a long and healthy life

What is access to sanitation?

the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces and also the maintenance of hygienic conditions through services such as garbage collection

How does Sanitation affect Health Status?

inadequate sanitation is one of the main causes of contaminated water, increasing the incidence of infectious diseases such as cholera and typhoid

How does Sanitation affect Human Development? (2)

inadequate sanitation keeps girls out of school, especially during menstruation. women and girls in low income countries spend a long time finding toilets, impacting their ability to lead productive lives